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Reflecting on Achievements: EIF Strategy 2022–2024

Historic Milestones for Estonia’s Internet

The past year and a half have been monumental for Estonia’s Internet landscape. For the first time in history, EIF introduced reserved and blocked domains to the market. These domain names included various Estonian place names, country names, as well as unique combinations of numbers and letters.

Previously held for over a decade for institutions with legitimate interests, these domains became available to the public starting in the fall of 2023. This initiative created a unique opportunity for .ee stakeholders and local businesses to distinguish themselves in a competitive digital environment.

The auction of reserved domains attracted many new users to our Auction Portal, while also increasing interest in auctions for expiring domains. The effects of this heightened attention are still visible today. Proceeds from all auctions are reinvested to enhance .ee’ s efficiency and security, as well as to support the local community through project competitions.

Strengthening Organizational Foundations

In line with our commitment to continuous improvement, we updated EIF’s statutes to better support the development of the foundation. This change strengthens the representation of our founding member, the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications (ITL). Additionally, the foundation’s goals were expanded to include promoting Internet governance and digital freedom in Estonia.

EIF has actively pursued this goal in previous years by organizing events such as Internet Day and discussions at Opinion Festival, and by awarding annual project grants. These efforts guide future opportunities for collaboration and encourage greater community involvement. The principles of establishing and managing content on the Estonian Internet further enhance awareness of the roles various stakeholders play in fostering a fairer and safer Internet.

Advancing Technical Innovations

On the technical front, we simplified the .ee domain rules regarding administrative and technical contacts and name servers. These updates reduce redundant data collection and improve the overall quality of registry data.

The new rules, effective February 2024, enable users to associate a domain with a single functioning name server. However, we strongly recommend that technically proficient users configure at least two name servers to ensure service availability in case of technical issues.

Launching eeID: A Breakthrough in Personal Identification

A notable achievement during this period was the creation of eeID, an electronic personal identification service that consolidates various strong authentication methods into a single platform. The platform also features video recognition capabilities, developed in collaboration with Veriff, to serve international customers.

Initially designed to meet the needs of the registry and registrars, the eeID service is offered free of charge to our accredited registrars for operations related to .ee domains. This initiative not only enhances the safety and efficiency of the industry but also gives back to the community.

Making Domain Registration More Accessible

To bring .ee registration closer to users, EIF collaborated with the Estonian Business Register to integrate .ee domain registration into the e-Business Register. This new solution allows start-up entrepreneurs to complete all necessary steps for establishing their business in one place, minimizing the risk of missing timely domain registration.

The integrated registration solution, set to launch in the first half of 2025, is expected to reduce potential domain disputes and drive broader advancements in the domain sector.

Sustained Growth Despite Challenges

Despite global economic and security challenges, .ee has continued to grow, achieving a remarkable 6.5% increase compared to the European domain market’s average growth of 2.7%. This sustained growth has allowed .ee to maintain its market share while preparing for the emergence of new generic domains.

Celebrating Partnerships with Registrars

The growth and success of .ee would not be possible without the invaluable contributions of our accredited registrars. We are committed to supporting our partners and appreciate their active involvement in shaping the future of .ee.

To foster collaboration, we introduced a "morning coffee" format, providing registrars with opportunities to participate in registry-related developments and share valuable feedback. Thank you for your meaningful and productive cooperation!